Price vs. Quality in 351W repower

[J. Pat Baughman]

I am looking to repower my 88 Predator 26 as the engine is getting "long of tooth" and I'm going into the WA State pacific about 20 miles. I'm finding engines from $1450 up from the East Coast mostly. Any advice on what I need to repower in addition to the right motor would be most appreciated.

JUST A HISTORY NOTE:
(I ran the very first Shamrock Ol' George ever made at Cape Coral in it's first demonstration before the media (Ft. Myers News Press). It sorta scared me as it seemed to almost jump out from under us a couple of times out there in that 17 ft. with 302 engine back in the early 70's. I watched them mix sand with epoxy to fill the keel for an early boat. Tad's Marine Service in Cape Coral was the first dealer. Tad lives in Cape Coral in the winters and is a great guy. I got this Shamrock at age 67 just because I have an attachment to the memories of way back then. My wife even did the art for the first Shamrock logo...long sense replaced with a more modern design.) J. PAT

[ct9a-mr]

Welcome to the site!
Great info on the early boats.

As for your 351 re-power I recently did the same thing but it would have been almost the same cost to go with a chevy.
If your current motor is fresh water cooled you could rebuild it but with the machine work and assembly you are again getting close to swapping it out for a 350 chevy.

[Mike Motti]

I am replacing my 351 as we speak. Or the mechanic is. Shoulder injury gives me a good excuse to let a pro do the work. Anyway he has a source in Portland,OR. They even powder coated the oil pan. I can get the contact info if you want.

[Dan Stewart]

Mike, I would also be interested in the name of your Portland source for 351's. Right now I am looking for another starter. Hope to find one in Seattle in a couple of weeks. By the way, how has the winter king fishing been this year?

[Eyekymo]

Originally Posted by J. Pat Baughman

I am looking to repower my 88 Predator 26 as the engine is getting "long of tooth" and I'm going into the WA State pacific about 20 miles. I'm finding engines from $1450 up from the East Coast mostly. Any advice on what I need to repower in addition to the right motor would be most appreciated.

JUST A HISTORY NOTE:
(I ran the very first Shamrock Ol' George ever made at Cape Coral in it's first demonstration before the media (Ft. Myers News Press). It sorta scared me as it seemed to almost jump out from under us a couple of times out there in that 17 ft. with 302 engine back in the early 70's. I watched them mix sand with epoxy to fill the keel for an early boat. Tad's Marine Service in Cape Coral was the first dealer. Tad lives in Cape Coral in the winters and is a great guy. I got this Shamrock at age 67 just because I have an attachment to the memories of way back then. My wife even did the art for the first Shamrock logo...long sense replaced with a more modern design.) J. PAT

Hi, and welcome to the "Establishment". That's a very interesting story. Please, feel free to share any others that you may have. We have a few other Shamrockists on our site, you probably know them well.
As far as your 351 goes, I think that there are still some around (New), but getting scarcer every day. Rebuilds still exist, though.

Mike

[Blankendingy]

Since the Ford block is no longer being made available to marine engine builders, I would refit to a GM based engine. You already have to pay the big cost of replacement and to have to pay more for parts as time goes on would add hurt to an already hurtful situation. Water pumps for the Ford are already substantially more as are some other parts. With the GM bell housing you're able to have the starter on top where it can be serviced and doesn't sit in bilge water rusting it into the grave. You can get an alum oil pan for the GM where the alum pan for the Ford is nearly impossible to find. The cost of the Ford engine tends to be a little more because of the scarcity. Just my 2 cents.

[Kurt]

I while back I talked to a guy at Ford Racing and HE said that Ford Racing was going to be offering NEW 351 Windsor blocks that were beefed up a bit for racing use. I haven't checked recently nor do I know if they are fully compatible with other, normal 351W hardware and accessories (distributors, oil pans, etc.) but it may be worth checking out.

[Eyekymo]

Here ya go.

http://www.hillbankmotorsports.com/c...ine-motor.html

[J. Pat Baughman]

Mike Motti, I certainly would like your info on the Portland source and your mechanic. I live in Forks, WA and the boat is down by La Push. I can trailer it to the mechanic and do as you are doing with possibly a change over to the GM 350 and all that entails. My email is jpatb70@msn.com for direct communication. My phone is 409-787-1560. I'd like to do this around the first of July and have the boat ready for mid-July fishing.

Thanks in advance, Mike. J. Pat Baughman

(And....yes, I have a few more stories about the early days of Shamrock and an absolute source for the first ten years of it's existence.)

[J. Pat Baughman]

Dan, please keep me in mind as I try to get my new engine installed the first week of July. I'm considering the change over to the GM350, but may choose the 351 again if it proves to be the better option. My email is jpatb70@msn.com and phone is 409-787-1560. Thanks, J. Pat Baughman